Asian J Sports Med. 2016 June; 7(2):e33598. doi: 10.5812/asjsm.33598.

Published online 2016 June 11. Brief Report

Asymmetry of the Modified Illinois Change of Direction Test Impacts

Young Elite Soccer Players’ Performance
Mehdi Rouissi,1,* Moktar Chtara,2 Ahmed Berriri,2 Adam Owen,3 and Karim Chamari4
1
Tunisian Research Laboratory, Sport Performance Optimization, National Center of Medicine and Sciences in Sports, Tunis, Tunisia
2
Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Picardie, Jules Verne, Amiens, France
3
Serviette Football Club, Geneva, Switzerland
4
Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
*
Corresponding author: Mehdi Rouissi, Tunisian Research Laboratory, Sport Performance Optimization, National Center of Medicine and Sciences in Sports, Tunis, Tunisia. Tel:
+216-53568346, E-mail: mehdirwissi@gmail.com

Received 2015 October 05; Revised 2015 November 15; Accepted 2015 November 17.

Abstract

Background: The modified Illinois change of direction test (MICODT) is an asymmetrical test because the numbers of changes of
direction performed to the right and to the left are unequal. Therefore, it is possible that the asymmetry of this test may influence
agility performance testing.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare two opposite/mirrored versions of the modified Illinois change of direction test.
Patients and Methods: Forty-six right-footed soccer players (17.2 ± 1.6 years-old) participated in the study. Players performed a
modified Illinois change of direction test and a mirrored version of this test “inverted modified Illinois change of direction test”
(I/MICODT) in a randomized and counter-balanced order. Paired t-test was used to determine whether significant differences ex-
isted between time performances of the tests as a within-subjects measure. Players were thereafter stratified into MICODT group or
I/MICODT group according to their best performance and independent t-tests were used to determine differences between groups.
Results: The analysis revealed no significant difference in time performance between the two versions of test as a within-subjects
measure (P > 0.05, ES = 0.05). However, significant better time performances among inverted modified Illinois change of direction
group (52% of players) were found when compared to the modified Illinois change of direction group (48% of players) (P < 0.04, ES
= 0.66).
Conclusions: The modified Illinois change of direction test must be considered as an asymmetrical test because it underestimates
more than half of the players’ agility performances. Therefore, fitness coaches should take these results into account when using
this test.

Keywords: Soccer, Change of Direction, Leg Dominance

1. Background sion of the ICODT has been suggested (i.e. Modified Illi-
nois COD Test) (MICODT) (3). The MICODT involves a re-
Within team sports, the ability to change direction is
duced number of CODs (7 CODs vs. 9 CODs) and shorter dis-
considered a fundamental component. According to re-
tances to be covered (30 vs. 60 meters) when compared to
cent research, in soccer games, players perform up to 700
the ICODT, respectively. More precisely, the MICODT is com-
turns and swerves with different magnitudes at varying
posed of multiple CODs with 4 of them being performed
angles (1). Players’ re-training fitness screening tests are
toward the right direction (use of the left leg to push to-
generally performed as a way of gaining a fuller under-
wards the new running direction), while only 3 CODs are
standing of their physical capacity, with test batteries usu-
performed to the left side (use of the right leg to turn).
ally including a test of agility. In this context, one of the
Even if the MICODT has been previously suggested as a
well-documented speed and agility tests used is the Illi-
means to appropriately assess soccer players’ change of
nois change of direction test (ICODT) (2). It is a standard
direction performance, it may be biased by its asymme-
test involving several straight line sprints (SLS), and rapid
try mixed to the laterality of the players (6, 7). Indeed,
change of directions (CODs) in varying sides and magni-
players who preferentially change direction to the right
tudes. However, this test has been suggested not to match
will potentially have a better COD performance than those
many intermittent sports’ effort patterns due to its rela-
who preferably turn left. Moreover, strength asymmetry
tively long duration of execution (3). It has also been fur-
between players’ legs may impact COD performance. In-
ther suggested that it does not represent soccer specific
deed, lower limbs strength represents a determinant fac-
movements within the game (4, 5). Recently, a shorter ver-

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 Rouissi M et al.
tor of COD performance among young soccer players (8).
Therefore, strength asymmetry between the two legs may
play an important role in sports with asymmetric kinetic
patterns like soccer (6, 7). Typically, soccer players use their
dominant leg (DL) to manipulate the ball (i.e. kicking or
passing) whereas the no dominant leg (NDL) is often used
to support the body and to provide stability (9). Therefore,
the more frequent engagement of the DL compared to the
NDL, may induce strength difference between the two legs
and therefore it may impact COD performances to both
sides (6, 8). In that regard, in a study of young elite and
professional soccer players, a higher proportion of muscle
strength imbalances were reported in young soccer play-
ers in comparison to senior players (8).
The MICODT examines the COD performance of soc-
cer players through the use of only one scenario which
involves more CODs with NDL vs. DL (for right leg dom-
inant players). However, understanding COD differences
between legs during left and right directional changes is
of fundamental importance within all levels of football
due to the determination of whether or not soccer players
have a preferred cutting direction and lower limb strength
imbalance. The effect of the leg dominance on COD tests
among young soccer players has not been well studied. The
choice to include young soccer players in the present study
is due to the higher strength imbalances in this category of
age (8, 10).
2. Objectives
Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare COD
performance of the MICODT to the inverted modified Illi-
nois COD test (I/MICODT) (an inversed pattern of the origi-
nal circuit of the MICODT).
3. Patients and Methods
3.1. Participants
Forty-six right-footed male young soccer players were
randomly chosen among members of successful first di-
vision soccer club of the Tunisian National League 1 (17.2
± 1.6 years-old, 176 ± 6.2 cm, body mass = 70.4 ± 7.1 kg).
The participants involved had been regularly involved in
competitive soccer for 6 years or more. Testing sessions
were administered during the competition phase (Fourth
month of the season), where training schedule consisted
of approximately 4 training-sessions and one official game
per-week. The study was conducted according to the dec-
laration of Helsinki and the protocol was approved by the
institutional ethics committee. All participants and their
parents/guardians reviewed and signed written consents.
2 Asian J Sports Med. 2016; 7(2):e33598.
3.2. Design
Tests were carried out on a 3rd generation synthetic soc-
cer turf, at the same time of day (9 to 11 AM) to ensure no
change or influence of circadian rhythms. Environmental
temperature ranged between 16 - 18°C, humidity between
65 - 70% with no rain and non-windy conditions. Players
were asked to wear adapted soccer boots in a consistent
way through the experiment. Boots were adapted to the
turf and allowed players to have good adherence to the
pitch. Two familiarization sessions were performed during
the two weeks preceding the testing session. After a stan-
dardized warm-up of 15 minutes, players were required to
perform a total of four trials: two trials of the MICODT and
two trials of the mirrored version of this test (Inverted MI-
CODT) (I/MICODT). A recovery period of 2 minutes rest was
applied between each trial, and the trials order (of the two
trials of each test) was randomized and counter-balanced.
One week before the final measurements, a pilot study was
conducted among 30 players (2 trials per each COD test) in
order to examine the reliability of the tests.
3.3. Change of Direction Tests
The MICODT involves players to sprint from point A to
point B as indicated in Figure 1. Two timing gates (Brower
Timing Systems, Salt Lake City, UT; accuracy of 0.01 sec-
ond) were used, one at the start and one at the finish
line. The MICODT was performed according to the origi-
nal version, where the initial COD was performed with the
NDL to the right direction (Figure 1A). Furthermore, play-
ers performed an inversed/mirrored pattern of the orig-
inal circuit of the MICODT, where the first COD was con-
ducted with the DL to the left direction (Figure 1B). No
technical advice was given as to the most effective move-
ment technique, and strong verbal encouragement was
provided during each trial. Two minutes of recovery were
given between trials within each circuit and five minutes
between versions. Two trials were performed for each cir-
cuit and the best one (shortest time) was selected for statis-
tical analysis.
3.4. Statistical Analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS soft-
ware statistical package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, version.
18.0). Paired t-tests were used to determine whether sig-
nificant differences existed between time performance of
the MICODT and the I/MICODT as a within-subjects mea-
sure. Players were thereafter stratified into MICODT group
or I/MICODT group according to their best performance
and independent t- tests were used to determine whether
significant differences existed between time performance
of the MICODT and I/MICODT groups.

A B
2.5m 2.5m
2.5m
5m
2.5m
A 2.5m 2.5m
Start
Figure 1. A, Diagram of the modified illinois change of direction test (MICODT); B, the inverted modified illinois change of direction test (I/MICODT).
Effect sizes were also calculated and reported (small <
0.4, moderate = 0.4 - 0.70, large > 0.70) (11). Reliability of
the measures was assessed with a Cronbach’s model intra-
class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of mea-
surements (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV) accord-
ing to the method of Hopkins (12).
4. Results
The ICC, SEM, and CV values for all measures demon-
strated ‘high reliability’: MICODT (ICC = 0.88, SEM = 0.12, CV
= 2.09%), I/MICODT (ICC = 0.89, SEM = 0.13, CV = 2.27%, respec-
tively). Furthermore paired t-test showed no significant
differences between trials of each test for all the variables
measured. In addition, paired t-test showed no significant
differences (P > 0.05, ES = 0.05) between the performances
recorded during the MICODT and I/MICODT (11.93 ± 0.53
vs. 11.96 ± 0.58, respectively) when analyzed as pooled data
(Table 1). When players were stratified into MICODT group
or I/MICODT group according to their best performance,
the results showed that the I/MICODT group performed sig-
nificantly better than the MICODT group (11.69 ± 0.47 vs.
12.00 ± 0.49; P < 0.04, ES = 0.66) (Table 2).
5. Discussion
The aim of this study was to compare time perfor-
mance of the Modified Illinois Change of direction test MI-
CODT and the inverted version of this test (I/MICODT) tests
among young elite soccer players. The main result of this
Asian J Sports Med. 2016; 7(2):e33598.
Rouissi M et al.
2.5m 2.5m
2.5m
5m 5m 5m
2.5m
B B
2.5m 2.5m A
Finish Finish Start
study was that there was no significant difference between
time performances of the two versions of tests when ana-
lyzed as pooled data. However, referring to the individual
responses of players, the analysis showed that 52% (n = 24)
of players had a significantly better time performance in
the I/MICODT when compared to MICODT. In other words,
more than half of the participants in this study had a bet-
ter time performance when they performed the I/MICODT
(where the dominant leg (DL) is more involved than the
non-dominant leg (NDL) (with obviously, less than the half
of players (48%, n = 22) showing an opposite result).
The results reported in the present study may be re-
lated to the strength asymmetry between the DL and the
NDL among soccer players. Indeed many studies reported
that because of the more frequent engagement of the DL
in mobility tasks (i.e. kicking or passing) compared to
the NDL (support of the body), this induces asymmetry of
strength and/or functional use between the two legs (6, 13,
14). In this context, Lehance et al. (8) reported that the DL
was stronger than the NDL in young elite soccer players.
Furthermore, Thorborg et al. (10) also reported that the DL
was 14% stronger than the NDL in young elite soccer play-
ers. In addition, Young et al. (15) reported that for a single-
COD to the left side, the right leg strength of young soc-
cer (right DL) players correlated more strongly than the left
leg. However, the converse was not true; that is, left leg did
not correlate more strongly than the right leg with perfor-
mance in turning to the right. The findings of the present
study are in line with a previous study among Australian
footballers that have compared two versions (original ver-
3
 Rouissi M et al.

Table 1. Mean Difference Between The Two Versions of Tests a

95% CI For Mean

Criterion Measures MICODT (n = 46) b I/MICODT (n = 46) b Means Difference Effect Size
Lower Upper

Test 11.93 ± 0.53 11.96 ± 0.58 -0.122 0.05 -0.03 0.06

Abbreviations: I/MICODT, Inverted modified Illinois change of direction test; MICODT, modified Illinois change of direction test.
a
P < 0.05.
b
Values are expressed as mean ± SD.

Table 2. Mean ± SD of MICODT and I/MICODT Groups a

95% CI For Mean

Criterion Measures MICODT (n = 22) b I/MICODT (n = 24) b Means Difference Effect Size
Lower Upper

Test 12.00 ± 0.49 11.69 ± 0.47 0.30 0.66 0.01 0.59

Abbreviations: I/MICODT, Inverted modified Illinois change of direction test; MICODT, modified Illinois change of direction test.
a
P < 0.05.
b
Values are expressed as mean ± SD.

sion and inverted version) of AFL agility tests (16). The study
reported that 61% of players were faster during the origi-
nal version of the test that involved more COD with the DL
whereas, only the remaining 39% performed better when
the test involved more COD to the right direction (NDL).
However, the previous study has not indicated the leg dom-
inance of players and therefore, players were stratified in
conjunction to their completion time of the two versions
of the test.
Because players need to be able to change direction
quickly while maintaining body control (17), dynamic bal-
ance asymmetry between DL vs. NDL may also explain the
result of the present study. In that regard, a previous study
reported that dynamic balance was better with the NDL
when compared to the DL (18). The result of this previ-
ous study supports the notion that the NDL is often used
to provide stability, while the DL is used for dynamic tasks
(9). In soccer players, the kicks and passes are mainly per-
formed with the DL, with the NDL serving as dynamic sup-
port. Therefore exposing the latter to a great amount of so-
licitation and probably this “training effect” is one of the
major causes of the reported results. Future studies should
compare dynamic balance of the two legs and its implica-
tion in COD performance asymmetry.
The results of the present study suggest that coaches
and physical trainers should propose COD tests which
involve equally the DL and the NDL. Another alternative
would be to use asymmetrical tests, but consider propos-
ing them in both original and inverted/mirrored version.
Furthermore, technical and physical staff should work for
reducing leg asymmetry among soccer players. This could
dampen the asymmetrical discrepancies in agility perfor-
mances. In this context, unilateral strength exercises may
be proposed for soccer players in order to reduce strength
asymmetry between the two legs. Nevertheless, the aim
here is not to cancel this difference, as per reasons of play-
ers’ laterality and/or soccer asymmetry, there might al-
ways be a certain degree of asymmetry in soccer players.
In that regard, previous studies of functional testing have
proposed that scores of the “weaker” leg exceed 85% of the
“strongest” leg performance, if this is to be accepted, the
between leg asymmetry falls into “normal” values.
Findings from this study indicate no significant differ-
ence between MICODT and I/MICODT among young male
soccer players when analyzed as pooled data. However, re-
ferring to the individual responses, the MICODT appropri-
ately assessed less than the half of players. Therefore, in
soccer players the COD ability should be monitored and as-
sessed through analysis of (1) an identical number of di-
rectional changes of both sides (DL vs. NDL) in order to
eliminate the effect of bilateral strength or technique de-
ficiencies; or (2) performing the asymmetrical agility tests
in original and inverted/mirrored versions.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Sinda Ben Achour and
Imen Ben Achour Ouled Amor, who contributed in this re-
search. We also acknowledge all the athletes and research
support staff involved in this study for their input.
Footnote
Authors’ Contribution: Study concept and design:
Mehdi Rouissi, Karim Chamari; acquisition of data: Ahmed

4 Asian J Sports Med. 2016; 7(2):e33598.

 Rouissi M et al.
Berriri; analysis and interpretation of data: Mehdi Rouissi,
Ahmed Berriri, Moktar Chtara; drafting of the manuscript:
Mehdi Rouissi, Moktar Chatara; critical revision of the
manuscript for important intellectual content: Mehdi
Rouissi, Karim Chamari; administrative, technical, and
material support: Mehdi Rouissi, Karim Chamari; Study su-
pervision: Mehdi Rouissi, Karim Chamari.
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